Threaded barrels

[Adam25]

Going to be visiting CA and want to hit the range with family while I?m there. Are threaded barrels legal in ca? Trying to figure out what I can and can?t bring. Thanks!

[RickD427]

It depends. Please refer to Penal Code section 30515.

[Adam25]

If I leave the thread protectors on would I be ok?

[Quiet]

Going to be visiting CA and want to hit the range with family while I'm there. Are threaded barrels legal in ca? Trying to figure out what I can and can't bring. Thanks!

As a non-resident of CA bringing a handgun into CA, the handgun must comply with CA assault weapons laws and CA generally prohibited weapons laws.
In addition, all ammunition feeding devices must comply with CA large capacity magazine laws.

A handgun that can discharge shotgun shells is considered a SBS. [PC 16640(b) and 17180(a),(b)]
A semi-auto pistol that does not have a fixed magazine and has a threaded
barrel is considered an assault weapon. [PC 30515(a)(4)(A)]
A magazine with a capacity of 11 or more rounds is considered a large capacity magazine. [PC 16740]

In order to be legal to bring to CA and possess in CA:
1. The handgun cannot be able to discharge shotgun shells.
2. If the handgun is a semi-auto pistol that does not have a fixed magazine, then it cannot have a threaded barrel.
3. Magazines cannot have the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.



Summary for handguns and threaded barrels in CA:
Threaded barrel by itself (unattached) = CA legal
Threaded barrel installed on a revolver = CA legal
Threaded barrel installed on a bolt-action pistol = CA legal
Threaded barrel installed on a break-open pistol = CA legal
Threaded barrel installed on a lever-action pistol = CA legal
Threaded barrel installed on a pump-action pistol = CA legal
Threaded barrel installed on a semi-auto pistol with a fixed 10 or less round magazine = CA legal
Threaded barrel installed on a semi-auto pistol that does not have a fixed magazine = CA illegal assault weapon [PC 30515(a)(4)(A)]




Penal Code 16640
(a) As used in this part, "handgun" means any pistol, revolver, or firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.
(b) Nothing shall prevent a device defined as a "handgun" from also being found to be a short-barreled rifle or a short-barreled shotgun.

Penal Code 17180
As used in this part, "short-barreled shotgun" means any of the following:
(a) A firearm that is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell and has a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.
(b) A firearm that has an overall length of less than 26 inches and that is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell.
(c) Any weapon made from a shotgun (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if that weapon, as modified, has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length.
(d) Any device that may be readily restored to fire a fixed shotgun shell which, when so restored, is a device defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive.
(e) Any part, or combination of parts, designed and intended to convert a device into a device defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, or any combination of parts from which a device defined in subdivisions (a) to (c), inclusive, can be readily assembled if those parts are in the possession or under the control of the same person.

Penal Code 30515
(a) Notwithstanding Section 30510, "assault weapon" also means any of the following:
(4) A semiautomatic pistol that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following:
(A) A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.
(B) A second handgrip.
(C) A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning the bearer's hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.
(D) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.
(5) A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
(b) For purposes of this section, "fixed magazine" means an ammunition feeding device contained in, or permanently attached to, a firearm in such a manner that the device cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action.

Penal Code 16740
As used in this part, "large-capacity magazine" means any ammunition feeding device with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, but shall not be construed to include any of the following:
(a) A feeding device that has been permanently altered so that it cannot accommodate more than 10 rounds.
(b) A .22 caliber tube ammunition feeding device.
(c) A tubular magazine that is contained in a lever-action firearm.

Penal Code 32310
(a) Except as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 32400) of this chapter and in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, buys, or receives any large-capacity magazine is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.

Penal Code 32311
(a) Except as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 32400) of this chapter and in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, commencing January 1, 2014, any person in this state who knowingly manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, buys, or receives any large capacity magazine conversion kit is punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. This section does not apply to a fully assembled large-capacity magazine, which is governed by Section 32310.
(b) For purposes of this section, a "large capacity magazine conversion kit" is a device or combination of parts of a fully functioning large-capacity magazine, including, but not limited to, the body, spring, follower, and floor plate or end plate, capable of converting an ammunition feeding device into a large-capacity magazine.

[Quiet]

If I leave the thread protectors on would I be ok?

It would be CA legal if it is permanently attached.

Permanent methods of attachment include full-fusion gas or electric steel-seam welding, high-temperature (1100?F) silver soldering, or blind pinning with the pin head welded over.

[Adam25]

Thanks quiet! That really helps narrow things down for me.

[XDJYo]

When you cross the border, your name is Juan Valdez and you're seeking asylum. They will hand you whatever you want.

[Mute]

Simple answer is, don't bring in any semi-automatic handgun with a threaded barrel that doesn't have an attachement permanently affixed nor a fixed 10 round or less magazine.